M17. Mahabharata - Mandavya Maharishi's Curse and Birth of Vidura

M17 - Mahabharata  - Mandavya Maharishi’s Curse and Birth of Vidura

Dritharashtra was born to Ambika. Sage Vyasa said he would have a strength of 1000 elephants but would be blind on account of his mother’s fault.

Pandu was born to Ambalika.  Sage Vyasa said he would become a great king, bring good fortune, and extend the kingdom.  He would remain pale (a sort of skin disorder).

Vidura was born to the maid of Ambika. The maid took the blessings of the Sage and was blessed with a son.

When asked about the traits of the third issue, the Sage said that Vidura will be an expert in Neeti Shastra,  Dharma Shastra, and highly disciplined.  

Having completed his obligation towards his mother, Satyavathi,  the Sage disappeared. 

Sage Vaishampayana said Yama  was born as Vidura in accordance with the curse of Mandavya Maharishi.  

Story of Mandavya Maharishi 

The Sage said, “Mandavya Maharishi was a great tapasvi. He does not know anything but dharma. On completion of pilgrimage, he built an ashrama and was greatly involved in  penance.

Once, soldiers were chasing thieves who were carrying the loot. In order to escape, they placed the loot inside the ashrama and hid themselves nearby. The soldiers repeatedly questioned the Sage about the thieves. Since the Sage was observing penance, he did not get an answer. At last, they found the loot inside the ashrama and caught the thieves.

The soldiers felt the Sage had given shelter to the thieves and took him also i the  presence of the king. The Sage felt it was destiny and the fruit of his previous karma (bad deeds) and remained silent. The king, without proper investigation, punished the Sage by making him sit on an arrow. The arrow pierced deep inside his buttocks. 

Saptarishis, who were moving around as birds, saw the pitiable condition of Mandavya Maharishi and questioned him. The dialogue was overheard by the king's soldiers and was fearfully reported  to the king. 

The king immediately sought pardon and asked the soldiers to get the arrow removed from his body.  However, the edge got stuck in his body. Hence, he was called Animandavya. 

The Sage forgave them, but after his death, he questioned Yama as to what sin he had committed to get such a grave punishment. 

Yama said that he had pierced a grass on the back of the dragonfly, and hence, he had to suffer. 

Maharishi asked at what age I did, and was I mature enough to know what was right or wrong. Yama said that this sin was conducted when he was a child. 

Maharishi was annoyed and said those who are below 12 years of age are not mature enough, and hence, such sins should be forgiven. He cursed Yama to be born as human and would be ineligible to learn or teach Vedas. 

Source: Mahabharatha